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Basra-Iraq: 12 November 2013 – In the build-up to the fourth edition of the Iraq Future Energy conference, Dr. Thamir Al Uqaili, Chief Executive Officer of Petroconsult Canada & Associates, discusses in detail the development of the downstream industry in Iraq, Iraq's future plans to build more refineries, the importance of Iraq's refining industry for the global petrochemical industry, as well as provides insight into the developments at the Nasiriya oilfield and refinery, in an exclusive interview with The Energy Exchange. Currently Iraqi refining capacity is estimated at over 900,000 b/d, although estimates vary because effective capacity has fallen below nameplate capacity in many cases. However, despite having huge reserves of oil, Iraq relies on imports to fulfill the rapidly increasing domestic demand for refined products such as gasoline. To address this issue Iraq now plans to build additional refineries along with new units at its existing facilities in an ambitious programme through which it hopes it will raise downstream capacity to 1.5 million barrels a day (b/d), by the end of the decade. Listing the additional refineries being planned in Iraq, apart from the ones at Basra, Daura, Baghdad and Baiji, Dr. Thamir mentioned: Karbala Refinery - a 140K b/d refinery being handled by Iraq's State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP) which is not contracted yet; the Maisan Refinery – a 150K b/d refinery for which one offer has been initially accepted but no contract has been signed yet; the Nasiriyah Refinery – a 300K b/d refinery which will be assigned in the Bidding Round of 19th Dec 2013; and Kirkuk Refinery – a 150K b/d refinery for which no progress has been made as the outcome of this refinery is most probably linked to future of Kirkuk Governorate. Talking about the development of the downstream industry in Iraq and particularly these refineries, Mr. Thamir said: “Ministry of Oil made progress in doing the front-end engineering design (FEED) for four refineries with total capacity of 750K b/d about two years ago. The four refineries were offered for investment. Activity on two of these have kicked off, and the third ‘Nasiriyah/ 300Kb/d' is part of Field-Refinery Integrated Project announced for bidding on 19 December 2013. I expect that some addition to Iraq's refining capacity will be made within three years. “The Ministry of Oil and NOCs have to find a way to utilise some 230K b/d of heavy crude oil (14-17 API) that will be produced from the Qaiyara and Najma fields (contracted to Sonangol) in about five years from now. Dilution or crude upgrade would have to take place to avoid blending with Kirkuk light crude. Another option is to mix it with a new stream of Kurdistan Heavy.” Going further and speaking specifically about the Nasiriyah oilfield and refinery he added: “The field has production potential of 450K b/d (Private detailed study) while the refinery is based on two 150K b/d trains. I expect the field to be developed in three stages. Stage one and two will make 300K b/d available and a third one to step up over that. Additionally, Ministry of Oil has the option of exporting any surplus beyond 300K b/d or allow for a third refining train of 150K b/d to install during the 3rd stage (end of 5th year). When asked about the importance of the Iraqi refining industry for the global petrochemical industry, Dr. Thamir said: “The current rate is probably more than 700K b/d. The petrochemicals and fertilizers industry needs a real push. The Integrated National Energy Strategy, unveiled in June 2013, has somehow handled this issue as part of the linked ‘non-oil' industries. The feed is gas, which entirely depends on how successful the Ministry of Oil and Basra Gas Company will be in gathering and utilising the associated gas.” Organised by The Energy Exchange, Iraq Future Energy will welcome a new strategic partnership with the Iraq Energy Institute in addition to the support provided by the Federal Parliament of Iraq, Basra Governorate, and the Ministry of Electricity. Dr. Thamir Al Uqaili is confirmed to participate at the fourth annual Iraq Future Energy conference to be held from 26 – 28 November 2013 at the Iraq Energy City in Basra, Iraq. Confirmed to speak on day one and day three of the conference, Dr. Thamir will speak about water availability and the treatment for Iraq Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) on day one. He will be participate in a panel discussion on Iraq's refining industry, its present status and future prospect including capacity, and modernisation and maintenance strategies on day three. For more information on Iraq Future Energy 2013, please visit: http://www.theenergyexchange.co.uk/iraq
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